The clinical outcomes of patients with diabetes and hypertension in a peri-urban area, Johannesburg, South Africa

Abstract

Aim: To describe the clinical outcomes of patients with type 2 diabetes (DM2) and hypertension (HT) who received treatment and care at a specialized primary healthcare facility.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted and data retrieved from 349 patient's records. The clinical outcomes were linked to individual risk factors and demographic profiles. Patients with HT who had at least four blood pressure (BP) measurements and patients with DM2 who had at least two HbA1c measurements in a 12-month period were included.

Results: More females had controlled HT than males. There was no sex difference observed for the control of DM2. Patients with HT visited the clinic for a median period of 96 days (IQR 35-257). Among 59.1% (n = 159) patients who achieved at least one controlled BP measurement, 64.2% (n = 102) had a controlled BP at the last visit. Patients with DM2 visited the clinic for a median period of 851 days (IQR 449.5-1254). From a total of 34 patients (43.5%) who achieved at least one controlled HbA1c measurement, 55.9% (n = 19) had a controlled HbA1c at the last visit.

Conclusion: Despite the difference in patient profiles, more than half of the patients who received specialised DM2 and HT care managed to achieve BP and HbA1c control.

Keywords: Blood pressure; HbA1c; Hypertension; Primary care; Type 2 diabetes.